BATTLE CREEK – The Niles varsity wrestling team finished ninth at the Big 16 Conference Team Wrestling Duals on Saturday at the Kellogg Arena.

The Vikings went 3-2 on the day.

Lakeshore defeated Jackson Lumen Christi 59-8 to win yet another championship.

The No. 1 ranked (Division 2) Lancers are now 13-1 on the season.

Portage Central finished third after defeating Battle Creek Lakeview 50-28.

Lakeshore reached the title match with a 67-9 win over Battle Creek Lakeview, while Lumen Christi handed Portage Central its first loss of the season in the other semifinal, 39-37.

Kalamazoo Central rounded out the top five as it went 4-1 on the day.

Niles finished the tournament with a 3-2 record.

The Vikings defeated Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 69-10, Portage Northern 48-25 and Battle Creek Harper Creek 55-18.

Niles was defeated by Kalamazoo Central 33-30 and Battle Creek Lakeview 40-24.

Going 5-0 on the day were Dakota Wright, Gage Pearison and Colin Burandt.

Also going 5-0 was Fritzel Findesien, who has now won 9 of his last 11 matches.

Robbie Legus and Tyler Baber were both 4-1. James Asmus went 3-2.

“Overall I thought we wrestled a little bit flat,” Niles coach Todd Hesson said.

The Vikings will host Buchanan, Three Rivers and Allegan on Wednesday.

The Vikings and Bucks will both wrestle the Wildcats and Tigers, but not each other.
Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Big 16 Team Wrestling Duals
At Kellogg Arena
Championship
Stevensville Lakeshore d. Jackson Lumen Christi 59-8
Third Place
Portage Central d. Battle Creek Lakeview 50-28
Semifinals
Lumen Christi d. Portage Central 39-37
Lakeshore d. Lakeview 67-9
Final Team Standings
1. Stevensville Lakeshore 5-0; 2. Jackson Lumen Christi 3-1; 3. Portage Central 3-1; 4. Battle Creek Lakeview 3-2; 5. Kalamazoo Central 4-1; 6. Sturgis 2-2; 7. Marshall 3-2; 8. Coldwater 2-2; 9. Niles 3-2; 10. Harper Creek 2-3; 11. Portage Northern 2-3; 12. Mattawan 1-4; 13. Battle Creek Central 2-3; 14. Lakeshore B 0-3; 15. Loy Norrix 0-3